August is a great time for hockey. Last year's losers are sure to be next year's winners thanks to the draft and free agency. Every borderline prospect is just on the verge, every perennial power is set to take a step back and every rebuilding team is set to move to the next level. While most hockey journalists decry August as the "dog days of summer", the "lazy hazy days of summer", or the "dog days of summer", the writers at NHL Numbers are going to use August as additional time to explore, experiment, test and learn.

Over the next 30 days, we're set to deliver our version of an NHL annual, a deep-dive article about each team with a bent towards the analytical. Scott Reynolds opens with the Carolina Hurricanes tomorrow afternoon and George Ays wraps the series with the New York Rangers on August 31st.

We'll look back on 2011, analyze the current roster and review the impact of trades and free agent signings, as well as present and explain prior trends and break down probabilities for the coming season.

One "boring" month, 30 articles, and more numbers than even we can track. Enjoy.